What is obesity? Why is it so important I lose weight? I’ve been
trying to lose weight for years but have not been successful; is
there something else wrong with me? How can I lose weight and keep
it off?

These are some of the questions we hear from our patients
regularly. It may even be a question you have had for your health
care provider.

The fact is, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), nearly two out of three Americans are either
overweight or obese. Obesity increases the risk for development of
numerous medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension,
cardiovascular disease, lung disease, osteoarthritis and certain
cancers.

In 2002 alone, it was estimated that both direct and indirect
costs of being overweight and obese were in the range of $100
billion.

The current widely used screening tool for initial assessment of
weight is called the BMI or Body Mass Index. BMI was first
developed in the mid-1800s by Adolphe Quetelet, a Belgian
mathematician. It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in
kilograms by the height in meters squared.

According to the World Health Organization, this BMI number is
interpreted in adults above the age of 20 as follows: BMI below
18.5 is underweight, 18.5-24.9 is normal, 25-29.9 is overweight,
30-39.9 is Class I and II obesity, 40-45 is severe obesity, and
45-50 is morbid obesity.

BMI calculation is the most convenient and economical method,
but it does have some nuances that slightly reduce its accuracy.
BMI does not take into account the increased muscle mass of an
athlete, nor variations based on age, sex and race.

Other methods of assessing body weight are measurement of skin
fold thickness, bioelectrical impedance, underwater weight,
computerized tomography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. These
methods are cumbersome and are not the most cost-effective.

The most common cause of obesity is increased calorie
consumption compared to expenditure. Some poor choices and modern
conveniences such as computers, cars, fast food and increase in
food portion size have limited our daily physical activity and
increased our calorie intake.

But did you know that some other factors can play a role in why
we gain weight and are unable to lose it?

Certain foods such as chocolate, dairy products, and sugar can
cause the release of neurotransmitters, which can bind to receptors
of the brain causing a sense of pleasure, similar to opiates like
morphine. It has also been shown that some carbohydrate-rich foods
can increase serotonin levels to cause an elevation in mood,
similar to some antidepressant medications. This is some of the
science behind the term “food addiction.”

There are a host of medical and hereditary conditions,
medications, and other lifestyle patterns, such as poor sleep,
which contribute to obesity. Some of these factors may contribute
to gaining weight or making weight loss difficult. Discuss this
with your doctor so you can reap optimal results in your weight
loss plan.

As always, please consult with your health care provider before
initiating any significant changes to your diet, medications, and
lifestyle as these changes may affect your current medical regimen
and condition. This article is not a substitute for the
personalized medical care of your physician.

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Tucson Local Media photographer J.D. Fitzgerald, right, shoots a simulation gun in reaction to a situation during a training put on by the Pima County Sheriff’sDepartment. PCSD invited members of the media to their training center on South Rita Road to further their understanding of use of force protocols. Mediamembers were given a 90-minute lesson on the policies, ethics and laws regarding use of force. To read the full story and to watch the video, visit www.tucsonlocalmedia.com.